Contribute to eJazzNews | Writer & Contributor Guidelines

eJazzNews has been covering the jazz world since 2001, and we welcome contributions from writers, musicians, critics, photographers, and jazz enthusiasts who share our commitment to quality journalism. Whether you are an experienced music journalist or a passionate fan with a story to tell, we want to hear from you.

We publish original, well-researched content that serves jazz listeners, musicians, and the broader community. Before submitting a pitch, please review the guidelines below to understand what we publish, how the process works, and what we expect from contributors.

What We Publish

We accept pitches and submissions across several content categories. Each has specific requirements for scope, length, and approach.

Jazz News (300–600 words)

Timely reporting on album announcements, tour dates, festival lineups, industry developments, artist milestones, and community news. News pieces should be factual, concise, and sourced. We prioritize stories that have not yet been widely covered.

Album Reviews (500–1,000 words)

Critical assessments of new jazz releases across all subgenres. Reviews should go beyond description to offer analysis of the music, its context within the artist’s catalog, and its place in the broader jazz landscape. We do not use numerical rating scales.

Artist Interviews and Profiles (1,000–2,500 words)

In-depth conversations with musicians, composers, producers, educators, and other figures in jazz. Interviews should reveal insights about creative process, musical philosophy, and career trajectory. Profiles combine interview material with biographical research and critical context.

Concert and Festival Coverage (500–1,500 words)

Firsthand reports from live performances, festivals, and jazz events. Coverage should capture the musical experience, highlight standout performances, and provide context about the event and its significance. Photography submissions are welcome alongside written coverage.

Commentary and Opinion (800–1,500 words)

Thoughtful essays on trends, debates, and issues in the jazz world. Opinion pieces should be grounded in knowledge of the subject, present a clear argument, and engage respectfully with differing viewpoints. All factual claims must be supported.

Jazz Education and History (800–2,000 words)

Informational and instructional content covering jazz theory, listening guides, instrument technique, genre history, biographical studies, and educational resources. These pieces should be accessible to a general audience while offering genuine depth and accuracy.

Who We Are Looking For

We welcome pitches from a wide range of contributors, including:

Jazz journalists and critics with published clips or demonstrated expertise
Working musicians who can offer insider perspectives on the creative process, touring, recording, and the music industry
Educators and academics specializing in jazz studies, musicology, or music education
Festival-goers and scene reporters who attend events and can provide timely, vivid coverage
Researchers and historians with deep knowledge of jazz history, specific artists, or regional scenes
Photographers who document live jazz performances and the jazz community (please include a portfolio link with your pitch)

Prior publication experience is valued but not required. We are more interested in knowledge, voice, and the quality of your pitch than in your resume.

How to Submit

Our submission process has three stages:

Step 1: Send Your Pitch

Email your pitch to [email protected] with the subject line “Pitch: [Your Topic].” Your pitch should include:

A clear summary of the proposed article (two to three paragraphs)
The content category and estimated word count
Why this story matters to jazz readers now
Your qualifications or connection to the subject
Two to three links to published writing samples (if available)

Step 2: Editorial Review

Our editorial team reviews all pitches within seven business days. We will respond with an acceptance, a request for revision, or a respectful decline. If your pitch is accepted, we will discuss scope, angle, deadline, and any specific editorial requirements.

Step 3: Writing and Editing

Once a pitch is approved, you will write the article according to the agreed scope and deadline. All submissions go through our standard editorial process, which includes fact-checking, copy editing, and structural review. We may suggest revisions before publication.

Content Requirements

All contributed content must meet the following standards:

Original work — Submissions must be original and not previously published elsewhere, including on personal blogs or social media.
Accurate and well-sourced — All factual claims must be verifiable. Include your sources and be prepared for fact-checking questions from our editors.
Well-written and clear — We expect clean prose, logical structure, and a professional tone. We edit all submissions, but articles requiring extensive rewriting may be returned for revision.
No AI-generated content — Submissions must be the genuine work of the credited author. AI tools may be used for research or spell-checking, but the writing itself must be your own.
No promotional content — Articles must serve readers, not promote products, services, or the contributor’s commercial interests. Relevant disclosures are required if you have any connection to the subject of your article.

Editorial Standards for Contributed Content

Contributed articles are held to the same editorial standards as staff-written content. Please review our Editorial Guidelines for a complete overview of our values and policies. Key points for contributors:

All content is subject to our fact-checking and verification process.
External links in contributed articles are published with rel="nofollow" attributes. We do not guarantee the inclusion of any specific links.
We reserve the right to edit submissions for clarity, accuracy, length, style, and adherence to our guidelines.
We reserve the right to decline any submission at any stage, including after revisions, if it does not meet our standards.

Rights and Publication

Our terms for contributed content are straightforward:

You retain full copyright to your work.
By submitting, you grant eJazzNews first publication rights.
We ask for a 30-day exclusivity period after publication, during which the article should not be republished elsewhere.
After the exclusivity period, you are free to republish your work on your own website or other outlets, with a credit and link back to the original eJazzNews publication.
eJazzNews retains the right to keep your article published on our site indefinitely.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to hear back about a pitch to eJazzNews?

Our editorial team reviews all pitches within seven business days of receipt. If your pitch requires additional discussion among editors, it may take slightly longer. You will receive a response confirming acceptance, a request for changes to the pitch, or a decline with brief feedback. If you have not heard from us after ten business days, you are welcome to send a follow-up email to [email protected].

Does eJazzNews pay contributors?

At this time, eJazzNews does not offer monetary compensation for contributed articles. We provide a published byline, author bio with links to your website or social profiles, and exposure to our dedicated jazz readership. Many contributors value the platform as a way to build their portfolio, connect with the jazz community, and establish credibility in music journalism.

Can I include links to my website in an eJazzNews article?

Contributors may include a link to their personal website or relevant professional profile in their author bio. Links within the article body are subject to editorial discretion and must be genuinely relevant to the content. All external links in contributed articles are published with rel="nofollow" attributes in accordance with our editorial guidelines. We do not accept submissions whose primary purpose is to generate backlinks.